My MLS power rankings: Week 2

Take a look at other MLS power rankings leaguewide from ESPN.com, SI.com, MLSsoccer.com, ProSoccerTalk and Soccer America, and you’ll see I’m in the minority as it relates to the top-ranked team. Such is the nature of these subjective rankings. Feel free to offer your thoughts in the comments:

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Rank

Team

Comment

1 (1)

Real Salt Lake

Came within seconds of starting season with two big road wins, but 1-0-1 start isn’t bad

2 (6)

Houston

Will Bruin, with MLS-most three goals, leads the league’s only 2-0 team after two weeks

3 (4)

Sporting KC

Started year with loss and tie in MLS, but earned big win in CCL vs. Cruz Azul (Mexico)

4 (5)

L.A. Galaxy

Bizarre scheduling has team playing RSL this weekend having just faced them in Week 1

5 (2)

Portland

Once again needed a late goal from newcomer Gaston Fernandez to salvage a tie at home

6 (11)

Toronto FC

Held on to win its first opener since 2009, but does this group have staying power?

7 (3)

Sounders FC

Small sample size, but Montreal is the only team Seattle has never beaten or tied (0-2)

8 (7)

Vancouver

Wunderkind Kekuta Manneh has five goals in his past five games dating to last season

9 (8)

Columbus

Federico Higuain can do Manneh one (or three) better, having scored eight goals in eight

10 (12)

Philadelphia

Ex-Sounder Seba Le Toux scored to up his average to 1.02 points per 90 min. with Union

11 (10)

Colorado

Shane O’Neill had an impressive rookie year as a center back but is moving to right back

12 (9)

NY Red Bulls

Thierry Henry scored a goal in his return, but Jamison Olave gave up a crucial PK in his

13 (13)

FC Dallas

Defender Matt Hedges continues to double as a goal scorer with a late equalizer in K.C.

14 (14)

San Jose

Kings of the comeback struck against Mexico’s Toluca in CCL, then Salt Lake in MLS

15 (16)

Chivas USA

Showed impressive resolve vs. Vancouver while playing with 10 men for most of the game

16 (17)

Chicago

Two ex-Sounders (Hurtado, Ianni) were part of defense that couldn’t hold lead in Portland

17 (15)

New England

Continues to be the head-scratcher of the season with no goals and no points in early going

18 (18)

Montreal

Fell to 0-2 after two straight on road but has three of next four and five of seven at home

19 (19)

D.C. United

Had a bye to get over blowout loss in opener, but faces improved TFC squad away